Matthias Ward
American politician (1805–1861)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matthias Ward (October 13, 1805 – October 5, 1861) was a lawyer and United States Senator from Texas.
Matthias Ward | |
|---|---|
| |
| United States Senator from Texas | |
| In office September 27, 1858 – December 5, 1859 | |
| Appointed by | Hardin Richard Runnels |
| Preceded by | James P. Henderson |
| Succeeded by | Louis Wigfall |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 1st district | |
| In office November 13, 1849 – November 3, 1850 | |
| Preceded by | William M. "Buckskin" Williams |
| Succeeded by | Joseph H. Burks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 13, 1805 Elbert County, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | October 5, 1861 (aged 55) Warm Springs, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
Early life
Matthias Ward was born on October 13, 1805, in Elbert County, Georgia.[1] Ward was raised in Madison County, Alabama.[citation needed] He attended an academy in Huntsville, Alabama, taught school and studied law.[1] In 1836 he settled in Bowie, Texas, moving to Clarksville, Texas in 1845 and later to Jefferson, Texas.[citation needed]
Career
Ward served in the seventh and eighth congresses of the Republic of Texas and later in the state senate as a Democrat from 1849 to 1850.[1] This was followed by unsuccessful campaigns for lieutenant governor in 1851 and United States Congress in 1855. In 1855, he ran with a proslavery and states-right campaign against Lemuel D. Evans.[1]
Upon J. Pinckney Henderson’s death in 1858, Ward was appointed to replace him in the United States Senate. He served from September 27, 1858, to December 5, 1859.[1] He failed to secure the nomination to run for the seat in election the next year.[citation needed]
Personal life
Ward died on October 5, 1861, in Warm Springs, North Carolina. He was buried Old Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.[1]
